"If I could have half an hour more, Mr. Linden--I want to show the young lady something about the milk cellar."
"Yes, the young lady who came to visit Miss Rosa yesterday. She offered her services, sir, when she heard that Mrs. Linden had gone away. I don't know how I can manage without her either, Dora is so stupid and she has so much to do besides."
Before he could reply, the door opened softly and behind Aunt Rosa's wonderful figure appeared a dark girl with red cheeks and shining eyes, who when she perceived him made a rather awkward curtsy, and was at once introduced as Addie Strom.
Frank bowed to the ladies, stammered out a few civil words, and asked to be excused for leaving them as he had letters to write.
"I am so sorry," said Aunt. Rosa, "that Mrs. Linden is not at home."
"She will soon be back," he replied as he went out.
"If Addie can help about the house a little--" sounded the shrill tones of the old lady behind him.
"Don't give yourself any trouble," was his reply.
"I should be glad to do it," said Adelaide, timidly.
Another silent bow from him and then he went out with great strides. That too!
He ran hastily down the steps into the garden. He took the letter out of his pocket once more which he had found lying on his writing-table that morning, and read it through. The writing was not as dainty as usual--the letters were hard and firm and large and yet unsteady, as if written, in great excitement.
The blood rushed in a hot wave to his heart. "It will come right." He put away the letter and took another from his pocketbook which had been brought half an hour before by an express messenger.
"I have just come from Wolff, with whom I intended to make an arrangement of this fatal affair. The scoundrel, unfortunately, was taken ill of typhus fever yesterday, and nothing is to be done with him at present. I can only regret that you should have consulted this man of all others, and I do not understand why you have not satisfied him. As soon as the gentleman is _au fait_ again I shall take the liberty, in the interest of my family and especially of my niece, to settle the matter quietly, and beg you not to make the matter worse by any imprudence on your part. You must have some consideration for the family.